First Board for Beginner

Posted: 01 September 2011 11:10 AM

Hi,

I’ve been on one weekend trip last year and hit an indoor slope last month. Most of what I’ve ridden is hard/packed snow and ice (yet to experience powder) as I’m in the UK. We’re heading off into mainland Europe in January and am wanting to get my own gear.

I’ve been doing a lot of research over the past week and learned a lot. What I’m looking for is a good all mountain board with traditional camber. I’d like to ride with one of these so I’ll have the basics nailed and have it last for a few seasons - for me this means lots of carving, hitting some jumps and maybe a rail if I’m feeling confident (though I won’t be doing much if any park riding).

The board I’m wanting to get is a Burton Process 2011. Unfortunately, I can’t find a 157cm one of these in Europe, only the rockers which I don’t want. I’m right on the lower limit for weight (70kg) and foot size (8.5 UK) for a 159 and have only rode 154/156 so it probably wouldn’t suit me to have a board that long. The 2012 Process is £100 more expensive and that’s really pushing my budget (still need to buy bindings and boots, as well as a bag).

Is there anything available that’s similar to the Process? Ideally no more than £300 (we get the short stick for board prices over here compared to the US!) Also, what sort of bindings and boots should I be looking at? I have a reasonable budget but don’t want to go mental.

Thanks

Posted: 01 September 2011 11:32 AM

THere are a few good options out there for what you are after, but prices have inflated again and unfortunately the UK has to keep it’s prices inline with Euro prices because of free trade within the EU and the risk of European distributors and shops going out of business.

Here are some boards worth checking out:

Endeavor Live - A snappy and versatile all-mountain twin. Fun in the park and capable on the rest of the mountain. Tidy graphics and a nice sidecut that loves carving.

Stepchild Sleazy Rider - A versatile directional twin shape with a camber profile. Bamboo in the core for pop and a sintered structurn base which will run fast even in the slushiest conditions. Graphics are a matter of taste.

APO MTD - Not the double camber version that board is incredibly soft. The standard cambered version might be worth a look.

Rome Reverb - It’s pretty much a toned down version of the Agent. Versatile shape and a nice pop at a good price.

Salomon Grip. THis board has early rise tips but essentially it is cambered. It’s a do-it-all freestyle board with a big list of fans. I wasn’t mega keen on the Equalizer sidecut when I tried it on the Titan, but lot of people love it.

Those are the cambered boards that spring to mind at the moment.

Rich

Posted: 01 September 2011 02:03 PM

Regarding the boots, and as I can easily remember my beginner days (since they weren’t that long ago, once I got my own pair of boots, that suited my feet and were comfortable this made riding any board or binding a lot more enjoyable.

My experience has been limited to trying out Burton Ruler & Moto boots, the Nike Air Force ones and a number of 32’s.  As I have wide feet I couldn’t get a comfortable feeling in the Burton’s or Nike’s (though I wanted the Nike’s just for their appearance!) unless I went up a size and that wouldn’t help in the long term.  In the end, after trying a number of models by 32 I got a pair that fit right, and with moulding the inner to my feet I’ve got boots that don’t give me arch problems for a full day on them.  My advice on boots would be to go to a local shop and try as many pairs on as possible and put the design as a secondary matter (with your keks and bindings covering them for the most part you’re unlikely to notice them too much).  You’re looking for a tight fit, as over the time the boots loosen slightly, and you don’t want to be washing around inside of them.

As for bindings, I’ve not had problems with my Burton Missions, and the Burton Cartels seem to be the highest selling binding.  The Mission straps seems to pull me into the board and give such a solid feeling and I’ve enjoyed riding different conditions and different boards with them on. 

Because I’ve heard good things about then I bought a pair of Union Contact Pro’s from the US (2011 model because I liked the black and yellow scheme rather than this years!) and they are supposed to reduce the dead spot around boards and help rockered boards with their flex.  Other than Contact’s and Contact Pro’s, you’ll find a lot of people being very positive about Union Forces (seemingly their all mountain binding comapred to the park/jib orientated Contact) and the new for 2012 Union Atlas.

If possible, see if you can run a demo board with a variety of demo bindings to see what you feel happy with as its all down to personal preference.